Memorable experiences in the Twin Cities
November 12, 2018 8:02 AM Subscribe
I would love to get some suggestions for memorable experiences I could arrange for my wife for a couple of hundred bucks in or near Minneapolis this winter.
My wife and I have decided to do Christmas differently this year; instead of giving each other objects as gifts, we're going to try to curate experiences. I have some ideas, but I know the hive mind will come up with things that I never would have, which significantly raises the chances of an awesome surprise.
Parameters:
- budget is undetermined but probably in the area of a couple of hundred bucks
- experience can be for both of us or just her
- ideally something in Minneapolis (or at least the Twin Cities), but nearby is OK, too.
- she likes (vegetarian) food and art and literature and animals
- she does not particularly like being outside in cold weather, and the cross-country skiing bug has never taken hold.
My wife and I have decided to do Christmas differently this year; instead of giving each other objects as gifts, we're going to try to curate experiences. I have some ideas, but I know the hive mind will come up with things that I never would have, which significantly raises the chances of an awesome surprise.
Parameters:
- budget is undetermined but probably in the area of a couple of hundred bucks
- experience can be for both of us or just her
- ideally something in Minneapolis (or at least the Twin Cities), but nearby is OK, too.
- she likes (vegetarian) food and art and literature and animals
- she does not particularly like being outside in cold weather, and the cross-country skiing bug has never taken hold.
Does that place still exist where they made their own hot fudge sauce and put it over a banana and vanilla ice cream? I went there once and got that and then contrived to go back pretty much every single day and get that until the constant blizzards finally drove me out of the state. I can't remember anything about Minneapolis/St. Paul except that place and the Walker Art Center with the giant cherryspoon. And pfannnkuchen and Rainbow Foods and a little I think Czech restaurant in St. Paul that was really cute but that is almost surely gone. Oh... wait. And Nye's Polonaise. But I think that famously sold to a new owner and Was Never The Same.
Annie's. That was the ice cream place with the hot fudge over the vanilla and the banana.
posted by Don Pepino at 9:15 AM on November 12, 2018
Annie's. That was the ice cream place with the hot fudge over the vanilla and the banana.
posted by Don Pepino at 9:15 AM on November 12, 2018
Take a cooking class at Cook's of Crocus Hill in St. Paul, then drive to Penzey's and buy a load of new spices. Load up the trunk with ingredients, go home, and turn off your phones: the day is just you two....though if you have kids they can take part, and actually make this better. Cook all day. (You do the dishes, natch.) Watch home movies or look at old pictures and drink wine until bedtime.
The next day, get up early, go to the farmer's market and buy more ingredients. Cook more, then invite friends over to come over and share your new foods, and to revisit old memories and renew your friendship.
(The physical gift to unwrap on12/25 can be a cookbook and new apron. Old aprons eventually become grotty and nasty, so buy her a good one!)
You will both start the year spiritually refreshed, with new opportunities to eat all year, and friends who are eager to help you try new things.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:35 AM on November 12, 2018
The next day, get up early, go to the farmer's market and buy more ingredients. Cook more, then invite friends over to come over and share your new foods, and to revisit old memories and renew your friendship.
(The physical gift to unwrap on12/25 can be a cookbook and new apron. Old aprons eventually become grotty and nasty, so buy her a good one!)
You will both start the year spiritually refreshed, with new opportunities to eat all year, and friends who are eager to help you try new things.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:35 AM on November 12, 2018
We took curling lessons with the Four Seasons Curling Club in Blaine and it was SO MUCH FUN!! I would totally, totally recommend that. The bar also has a lovely bloody mary, if that's your thing.
Spending at day at a museum, whether MIA (free/donation) or the Walker is wonderful and cozy.
Take advantage of the amazing theater here. Everything from the Guthrie to tiny one person performance spaces. There are a ton to choose from.
posted by goggie at 9:42 AM on November 12, 2018
Spending at day at a museum, whether MIA (free/donation) or the Walker is wonderful and cozy.
Take advantage of the amazing theater here. Everything from the Guthrie to tiny one person performance spaces. There are a ton to choose from.
posted by goggie at 9:42 AM on November 12, 2018
MIA has an exhibit on Egypt right now that is $20 and runs through April. There is also a free film that screens most Fridays, according to their website. I would check into behind the scenes/private tours of MIA, Walker or even the MN History museum.
posted by soelo at 10:15 AM on November 12, 2018
posted by soelo at 10:15 AM on November 12, 2018
Tour the new Bell Museum and take in one of their planetarium shows.
Otherwise, maybe you can find some ideas here:
https://www.twincitiesfoodtours.com/
https://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/
https://www.xperiencedays.com/Minneapolis_Gifts.html
https://www.viator.com/Minnesota/d22206-ttd
posted by Lunaloon at 10:43 AM on November 12, 2018
Otherwise, maybe you can find some ideas here:
https://www.twincitiesfoodtours.com/
https://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/
https://www.xperiencedays.com/Minneapolis_Gifts.html
https://www.viator.com/Minnesota/d22206-ttd
posted by Lunaloon at 10:43 AM on November 12, 2018
A few ideas:
Cooking classes at kitchen in the market at the midtown global market. I’ve been to three different ones and all have been really good.
The MN Zoo has adult programming - haven’t been but they have been advertising it a lot.
Head to CanCan wonderland in St. Paul for indoor mini golf.
Try out an escape room.
posted by nanhey at 12:30 PM on November 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Cooking classes at kitchen in the market at the midtown global market. I’ve been to three different ones and all have been really good.
The MN Zoo has adult programming - haven’t been but they have been advertising it a lot.
Head to CanCan wonderland in St. Paul for indoor mini golf.
Try out an escape room.
posted by nanhey at 12:30 PM on November 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
I believe you can reserve seats in the kitchen at Corner Table in Minneapolis and the chef will chat with you as s/he works. My friends did this and loved it, although the restaurant has changed owners since then so I don’t know if it’s still an option. Other local restaurants might do something similar.
The St. Paul Hotel offers a fancy afternoon tea, if that’s your thing.
posted by castlebravo at 1:27 PM on November 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
The St. Paul Hotel offers a fancy afternoon tea, if that’s your thing.
posted by castlebravo at 1:27 PM on November 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
I've always loved the idea of spending a weekend as a tourist in the other Twin City. I'm a Minneapolis resident, so we'd get a hotel room near Lowertown, because I heard that's where St. Paul is the coolest. We'd go out via train or walk to thing that had good reviews. Maybe Barrel Theory, Buttered Tin, Octo Fishbar, etc.
One could also do this in Northfield, Stillwater, Red Wing, or Lanesboro.
If you were to do this in Minneapolis, I'd base myself in North Loop.
posted by advicepig at 6:38 PM on November 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
One could also do this in Northfield, Stillwater, Red Wing, or Lanesboro.
If you were to do this in Minneapolis, I'd base myself in North Loop.
posted by advicepig at 6:38 PM on November 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Don’t know if Mankato is too far, but if she likes the Betsy-Tacy books, has she visited the houses? According to the website, private tours are available. Plus the town has many “Deep Valley“ sites mentioned in the books.
https://www.betsy-tacysociety.org/visits-tours/
posted by elphaba at 8:32 AM on November 13, 2018
https://www.betsy-tacysociety.org/visits-tours/
posted by elphaba at 8:32 AM on November 13, 2018
Stay downtown at the St. Paul hotel, take in a concert across Rice Park at the Ordway Center, savor a dinner at Meritage.
posted by pingzing at 3:02 PM on November 21, 2018
posted by pingzing at 3:02 PM on November 21, 2018
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-Book a nice hotel in Minneapolis, then spend the day museum hopping: MIA, the Walker, the Weisman. Or, head over to St. Paul for the MN History Museum.
-There are SO many great shows happening right now. Head to the Melting Pot for dinner, then go see something fabulous.
-If you're looking for something more rustic, this is a wonderful time of year to check out Air Bnb for cabins - cuddle up by the fireplace and watch the snow fall (another one of my personal favs!).
posted by WaspEnterprises at 8:22 AM on November 12, 2018 [1 favorite]